NOUAKCHOTT, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Mauritania has announced plans to boost its strategic reserves of energy and food products to secure domestic supplies amid Middle East tensions and rising global energy prices, Minister of Energy and Petroleum Mohamed Ould Mohamed Malainine Ould Khaled said.
Speaking at the government's weekly press briefing on Wednesday evening, the minister said five tankers carrying petroleum products are expected to arrive before the end of this month to strengthen national reserves.
He said the government is also maintaining a subsidy-adjustment mechanism for energy products to help shield consumers from the impact of higher international prices.
According to the minister, if oil prices remain between 85 and 90 U.S. dollars a barrel, state support for liquid fuels could reach around 25 billion ouguiyas (about 628 million dollars) this year, while subsidies for domestic gas may exceed 30 billion ouguiyas.
At the same briefing, government spokesperson Houssein Ould Medou said temporary measures had been taken to preserve food and energy stocks for the local market. He said the measures are part of a mechanism led by a ministerial committee tasked with maintaining adequate reserve levels and coping with possible disruptions in global trade. ■